Anthony



(No Model.)

GAME- PPAR TUS.

"No; 574,087. v Patented Deo.Z9, 1896.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANTHONY O. FRIGK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

'GAME-APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 574,087, dated December 29, 1896. Application filed May 25,1896. $erial No. 592,981. (No model.)

5 State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accom pan yin g drawings, forming a part thereof, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

til his invention relates to an improvement in game apparatus, the object of the invention being to provide a game which will afford healthful exercise and which comprises a portable structure so formed as to be adaptable for folding into small proportions when not in use, whereby the several parts forming said structure may be packed away into a box of small area.

The device is inexpensive, simple in construction, and durable, and it is adaptable for use by both children and adults.

The invention will be hereinafter fully described and specifically set forth in the anneXed claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a vertical elevation of my improved device, showing the same set up ready for use. Iig. 2 is a folded View of a portion of the framework comprising the structure. Fig. 3 is a face View of a series of targets which form part of the structure. one of the uprights forming part thereof. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional elevation taken on a line as an of Fig. 1, and Fig 6 is a view of a sphere or ball adapted for use in playing the game.

In the practice of my invention I provide preferably three upright posts A, B, and C. These said posts comprise, respectively, sections a o, b b, and c 0. These said sections are hinged together by suitable hinges D, and they are locked in an upright position by means of hooks d. These said hooks engage with eyes d,said hooks and eyes forming part respectively of opposing sections of the said uprights. Stretched upon said uprights,

upon the back thereof, and extended longitudinally, is a backing E, which is composed preferably of some strong fabric.

This said Fig. A: is a folded View of backing is provided with strings e, which engage with eyes 2, located at suitable positions upon the uprights A, B, and (J. Mounted upon the face of the said uprights is a folding framework F, which comprises pivotally-at tached sectionsfand f, which said sections are held together by bolts f and the whole structure is secured to the uprights by bolts f which said bolts pass through apertures f of the said uprights and are secured thereto by nuts f Mounted back of the framework F are a series of targets F, of sheet metal or other suitable material, which said targets are attached to the framework through the medium of the bolts f passing through the framework F. These targets are supplied through the center thereof with apertures F which said apertures register with numbers F located upon the backing E.

To complete the game, I provide any suitable number of balls G, which said balls must be of a diameter slightly smaller than the smallest aperture of the targets F.

I may rovide any desirable rules for playing the game, and I designate the same as ring game. One set of rules are as follows: Any number of persons can play the game and each person participating will be supplied with three balls, and they play in rotation, being placed at a station distant from the target from fifteen to twenty-five feet. Having taken a station at said distance, the first player will endeavor to throw a ball through one of the apertures formed in the targets F, and his throws will count for the number indicated upon the backing E which registers with the opening in the target through which the ball passes. A player may continue to throw and count until he misses three successive times, when the next player will repeat the operation, this being continued until one player aggregates one hundred, which indicates that he has won the game. The rules may be continued as follows: If a ball strikes the wooden framework or the target, it is counted a miss. the canvas between the targets, it deducts five points from the player. If a ball misses the canvas entirely, ten points are deducted from the player, or I may devise any other suitable rules.

If a ball strikes- I do not confine myself to the specific details of mechanical structure as herein described, as it is obvious that under the scope of my invention I am entitled to variations of construction. For instance, the sections forming the uprights may be held together by a bayonet-joint or other suitable fastening.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1.. A game apparatus comprising a series of uprights which are driven into the ground and which have abacking of fabric stretched thereon, and a sectional folding framework having a target with an aperture in each section thereof secured to the face of the said uprights,said backing having prod uced thereon numerals registering with said apertures, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination of the folding uprights having a flexible backing stretched thereon, and the folding framework having apertured non-elastic targets secured thereto, substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination of the folding uprights and means for locking them in an upright position, and a flexible backing andmeans for securing it to the said uprights; with a removable folding framework having apertured rigid targets secured thereto, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of two witnesses, this 22d day of May, 1896.

ANTHONY C. FRICK.

Witnesses:

M. MACLEAN, S. SCHWARTZ. 

